baby's-breath

American  

[bey-beez-breth] / ˈbeɪ bizˌbrɛθ /

Or babies'-breath

noun

1. a tall plant, Gypsophila paniculata, of the pink family, having lance-shaped leaves and numerous small, fragrant, white or pink flowers.

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baby's-breath British  

noun

1. a tall Eurasian caryophyllaceous plant, Gypsophila paniculata , bearing small white or pink fragrant flowers

2. any of several other plants, such as the grape hyacinth and certain bedstraws, that have small scented flowers

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Etymology

Origin of baby's-breath

First recorded in 1885–90; so called from its delicate odor and bloom

Example Sentences

Nick Carraway reflecting on the great Gatsby's death, or on what it is like to come from the Midwest, could not be more perceptive or compelling.

From Time Magazine Archive

After Gatsby's death the East was haunted for me like that, distorted beyond my eyes' power of correction.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald